US visa sanctions for countries that block deportations
Published:Monday | April 13, 2020 | 12:19 AMJerome Reynolds/Assistant Editor â Online
Countries that refuse to accept the deportation of their citizens from the United States (US), even during the global COVID-19 crisis, are to face visa sanctions.
The order was given on Friday, April 10, by US President Donald Trump in a memorandum to the secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security, and the directive is to remain in place until December 31.
The move by Trump comes at a time when dozens of countries, including Jamaica, have closed their borders to incoming travel as they seek to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2.
The Jamaican Government imposed a 14-day ban on inbound passenger traffic, but outgoing passengers are allowed to leave. Two-way cargo movement is also facilitated.
The measure has been extended until April 18.
In the US, some states have been granting early release to certain categories of prisoners because of COVID-19. So, too, has US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for similar migrants in detention facilities.
Trump, in his new directive, argues that countries that deny or unreasonably delay accepting their citizens, subjects, nationals, or residents from the US during the ongoing pandemic caused by the coronavirus create unacceptable public-health risks for Americans.
He said the US must be able to repatriate foreign nationals who violate the country’s laws.
Under the directive, the secretary of homeland security is to notify the secretary of state if a country refuses to accept, or unreasonably delays, receiving its citizens and if that action impedes the operations of the Department of Homeland Security to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The secretary of state then has up to seven days to initiate a plan to impose visa sanctions on the country.
The measures can be lifted if the country resumes accepting its citizens.
In a January 2017 executive order on public safety, Trump directed departments and agencies to employ all lawful means to enforce US immigration laws to secure the country’s border and to remove those who pose a threat to national security.
A SERIOUS CHALLENGE
He argued that the lack of cooperation by receiving countries has been a challenge.
“Tens of thousands of removable aliens have been released into communities across the country, solely because their home countries refuse to accept their repatriation. Many of these aliens are criminals who have served time in our federal, state, and local jails. The presence of such individuals in the United States and the practices of foreign nations that refuse the repatriation of their nationals are contrary to the national interest,” said Trump in his Executive Order on Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States.
“Many aliens who illegally enter the United States and those who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their visas present a significant threat to national security and public safety. This is particularly so for aliens who engage in criminal conduct in the United States,” Trump noted.
Concerning Jamaica, ICE, in its 2018 Enforcement and Removal Operations Report, indicated that it removed 792 Jamaicans that year.
In 2017, the figure was 782, with 787 Jamaicans being removed in 2016, according to ICE.
In general, hundreds of Jamaicans are typically deported from the United States per annum, with the majority being removed due to overstaying and illegal entry or re-entry.